Tamper evident cover for an aerosol can

ABSTRACT

A cover comprising a first cap section for covering the dispenser valve and a second annular section having at least two mounting members configured to engage a circular lip on the aerosol can and firmly attach the second section to the aerosol can. The second annular section further comprises a removable portion that is less than the entire thickness of the second section and includes at least one of the mounting members, such that removal of the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the can. The cover further includes a tamper evident portion between the first and second sections. An opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes either the tamper evident portion or the removable portion to at least partially separate from the second section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tamper evident cover for an aerosol can, and more particularly to a tamper resistant cover for a can of whipped topping or other food product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Aerosol containers which dispense food products such as whipped cream have found wide application in the food industry. Food products are often packaged in aerosol cans, which provide for dispensing a liquid or foamed food product. These aerosol cans include a cap or cover for covering a dispensing valve that may be intermittently operated to dispense small amounts of the product as needed. A problem with these aerosol container products is that the cover may not provide an effective tamper evident seal prior to use, and may not be reliably retained when the cover is replaced after initial use.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve including a cup forming a generally circular lateral surface with a downwardly facing lip, the cover comprising a first cap section for covering the dispenser valve and a second annular section having at least two mounting members configured to engage the circular lip and firmly attach the second annular section to the aerosol can. The second annular section further comprises a removable portion that is less than the entire thickness of the second annular section and includes at least one of the mounting members, such that removal of the removable portion permits the cover to be disengaged from the lip on the cup on the aerosol can. The cover further includes a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the first and second sections and is defined by lines of weakness between the first and second sections, wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes either the tamper evident portion or the removable portion to at least partially separate from the second annular section, to provide a tamper evident condition.

In one aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, removal of the removable portion leaves at least one mounting member and a remaining portion of the second annular section that is configured to fit around the circular lip, to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can. The remaining portion that fits around the circular lip holds the second annular section snugly around the circular lip, so that the at least one mounting member is held in engagement with the lip to moderately resist the removal of the cover. After initially detaching the cover, the cover may be replaced over the dispensing valve in a manner such that the cover is releasably retained to the lip on the aerosol can. The cover therefore may be repeatedly replaced and reliably retained after intermittent dispensing usage of the aerosol product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a can cover in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view of the cover detailing the removable member;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an aerosol can having a valve attached with a circular lip; and

FIG. 4 is a section view of the cover showing the mounting members for engaging the aerosol can in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of a cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve in accordance with the principles of the present invention is indicated generally as 20 in FIG. 1. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover comprises a first section 22 that serves as a cap for covering the dispenser valve of an aerosol can (not shown), and a second section 24 having a generally annular shape. The second section 24 comprises a tab 30 adjacent to a removable portion 32 that includes less than the entire thickness of the second annular section 24. The removable portion 32 is configured to secure the second section 24 to a lip on the dispenser valve assembly on the aerosol can, such that removal the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the lip on the aerosol can.

Referring to FIG. 2, the removable member 32 comprises at least two mounting members 36 configured to circumferentially fit to and engage the circular lip of a dispenser valve assembly on an aerosol can, to firmly attach the second annular section 32 to the aerosol can. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting member is generally a cleat shape having a point 38 that snaps over and engages the underside of a circular lip on the aerosol can. The removable portion 32 shown in FIG. 2 is less than the entire thickness of the second annular section 24, and includes two mounting members 36. In another embodiment, the removable portion 32 may alternatively include only one mounting member. The removable portion 32 may be integrally formed with the second annular section 24, and is defined by a line of weakness 34 between the removable portion 32 and the remnant of the second annular section 24. In this preferred embodiment, the removable portion 32 extends over less than half of the circumference of the second annular section 24.

The cover 20 is preferably made of a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, or polypropylene, Delrin, Teflon, or PTE, but may be any material suitable for use with a variety of aerosol dispensed products, such as polyethylene.

The removal of the removable portion 32 removes the mounting members 36 from engagement with the lip on the aerosol can, thereby permitting the cover 20 to be detached or removed from the lip on the aerosol can. The cover 20 further includes a tamper evident portion 26 that is formed integrally with the first section 22 and second section 24, and is defined by a line of weakness 26 between the first and second sections. An opening force exerted on the first cap section 22 prior to the initial removal of the removable portion 32 will cause either the tamper evident portion 26 or the removable portion 32 to at least partially separate from the second annular section 24, to provide a tamper evident condition. An opening force may be any directional force or rotational force applied to the first cap section 22 which attempts to remove the cover prior to removing the removable portion 32. When such a tampering force is applied to the first cap section 22, the cap section 22 may partially or completely separate from the second annular section 24, to provide an indication of tampering. Likewise, such a force applied to the first cap section 22 may partially or completely separate the removable portion 32 from the second annular section 24, to provide an indication of tampering.

Referring to FIG. 3, an aerosol can 40 is shown with a circular lip 42 that is typically associated with a dispenser valve assembly, which typically comprises a cup that is crimped onto the top of the aerosol can. In one embodiment of a cover in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the cover 20 further comprises one or more additional mounting members 44 apart from those included on the removable member 32. As shown in FIG. 4, these mounting members 44 may be comprised of a thin ridge, and may be joined or connected together. It should be understood that the mounting members 44 may generally be a cleat shape similar to mounting members 36, or may be any shape suitable for engaging the circular lip 42 on the aerosol can. Removal of the removable portion 32 will leave at least one mounting member 44 and a remaining portion 28 of the second annular section. The removable portion 32 is preferably defined by a wavy line of weakness, with the crests corresponding to the mounting members 36, and the trough corresponding to the remnant portion 28, so that the removable portion removes two mounting members 36, and leaves a remnant portion 28 between the locations from which the mounting members 36 have been removed. The remnant portion 28 as shown in FIG. 1 curves lower, such that the remaining remnant portion 28 of the second annular section 24 is capable of fitting around and over the circular lateral surface of the cup on the aerosol can. The remaining remnant portion 28 that fits around the lateral surface of the cup holds the second annular section 24 snugly around the circular surface of the cup, preventing “ovalizing” of the second annular section 24 so that the at least one mounting member 44 is held in engagement with the lip 42 to provide modest resist the removal of the cover 20 from the lip 42 on the aerosol can 40. Accordingly, after the removable portion 32 has been removed, the at least one mounting member 44 and remaining portion 28 permit the cover 20 to be retained, yet also permit the cover 20 to be releasably removed from the lip 42 of the aerosol can 40. Thus, after removing the cover 20, the cover 20 may be replaced over the dispensing valve in a manner such that the cover may be attached and releasably retained to the lip 42 on the aerosol can 40.

In the preferred embodiment, the cover 20′ comprises a pull tab 30 that is attached to or is adjacently formed with the removable portion 32. The removable portion 32 may comprise a cross-section that is greater than that of the remaining portion of the second annular section 24, for aiding in detaching the removable portion 32 from the second annular section 24. The removable portion 32 may also comprise a variable cross-section that when removed leaves a remaining portion 28 of the second annular section 24 that is configured to fit around the circular lip 42 to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the lip 42 where the cover 20 will attach to the aerosol can. In another embodiment of the present invention, this remaining portion 28 may further comprise a mounting member to engage the lip 42 of the aerosol can 40, to provide additional resistance to removal of the cover for improved retention. The first cap section 22 of the cover 20 may further comprise one or more ribs 46 within the first cap section 22, wherein a downward force exerted on the first cap section 20 will press the ribs against of the lip 42 of the can 40 to support the first cap section such that the downward force does not cause the tamper evident portion 26 to separate the first section 22 and the second section 24 from each other. This feature allows for stacking of the aerosol can 40 without inadvertent separation of the tamper evident cap section and annular section. The present invention therefore provides a cover that is capable of providing evidence of tampering prior to the initial removal of a removable portion, after which the cover may be repeatedly replaced and reliably retained on the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly.

The advantages of the above described embodiment and improvements should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, as to enabling a tamper evident cover for a dispensing valve on an aerosol can. Additional design considerations may be incorporated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the particular embodiment or form described above, but by the appended claims. 

1. A cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve including a cup forming a generally circular lateral surface with a downwardly facing lip, the cover comprising: a cap section having an opening for receiving the dispenser valve; an annular mounting section surrounding the opening of the cap section, the mounting section having a sidewall adapted to extend over the generally circular lateral surface of the cup on the aerosol can, and a plurality of engagement members for engaging the downwardly facing lip on the can to secure the cover on the can, the sidewall of the annular mounting section including a removable section carrying at least one but not all of the engagement members so that when the removable portion is removed the cover can be removed from the can, the removable section configured so that the removal of the removable section leaves a remnant portion of the sidewall intact sufficient to engage the lateral wall of the cup over a portion of the circumference for the mounting section from which the removable section is removed.
 2. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the removable section includes at least two engagement members, and wherein the removable portion is configured to leave a remnant portion of the sidewall between two removed engagement members intact, to overlie the generally circular lateral wall of the cup.
 3. The cover according to claim 2 wherein the removable section is defined at least in part by a wavy line of weakness, with crests corresponding to the locations of the at least two engagement members, and a trough corresponding to the remnant portion of the sidewall between the two engagement members.
 4. The cover for an aerosol can according to claim 1 further comprising a line of weakness that causes at least partial separation of the cap section from the annular mounting section before the annular mounting ring will release from the can, if the removable portion has not been removed.
 5. A cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve, comprising: a first cap section for covering the dispenser valve; a second annular section having at least two mounting members configured to engage a circular lip on the aerosol can to firmly attach the second annular section to the aerosol can, the second annular section comprising a removable portion that includes less than the entire thickness of the second annular section and at least one of the mounting members; a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the first and second sections and is defined by lines of weakness between the first and second sections; wherein removing the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the lip on the aerosol can.
 6. The cover of claim 5, wherein the removable portion extends over less than half of the circumference of the second annular section.
 7. The cover of claim 6, wherein removing the removable portion leaves at least one mounting member and a remaining portion of the second annular section, the at least one mounting member and remaining portion being configured to fit around the circular lip to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can.
 8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the remaining portion of the second annular section further comprises a mounting member for engaging the circular lip on the aerosol can.
 9. The cover of claim 8, wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes the tamper evident portion to at least partially separate the first cap section from the second annular section to provide a tamper evident condition.
 10. The cover of claim 7, wherein the second annular section comprises a remaining portion and at least two mounting members that engage a lip on the aerosol can, for releasably retaining the cover on the aerosol can after the removable portion has been removed.
 11. The cover of claim 10, wherein the at least two mounting members comprise cleats that circumferentially fit around and engage the circular lip on the aerosol can to firmly secure the second annular section to the can.
 12. A cover for a dispenser valve on an aerosol can, comprising: a first cap section covering the valve on the aerosol can; and a second annular section having a removable portion that includes less than the entire thickness of the second annular section, the removable portion being configured to secure the second section to the can when not removed; a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the first and second sections and is defined by lines of weakness between the first and second sections, wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes the tamper evident portion to at least partially separate the first cap section from the second annular section and provide a tamper evident condition, and wherein removal of the removable portion permits the cover to be removed from the aerosol can.
 13. The cover of claim 12, wherein the removable portion comprises one or more cleats that engage a circular lip on the can to secure the second annular section to the can.
 14. The cover of claim 12, wherein removing the removable portion from the second annular section leaves at least one mounting member and a remaining portion of the second annular section, the at least one mounting member and remaining portion being configured to fit around the circular lip to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can.
 15. The cover of claim 12, wherein an opening force exerted on the first cap section prior to removing the removable portion causes the removable portion to at least partially separate from the second annular section to provide a tamper evident condition.
 16. The cover of claim 12, further comprising one or more ribs within the first cap section, wherein a downward force exerted on the first cap section presses the ribs against of the lip of the can to support the first cap section such that the downward force does not cause the tamper evident portion to separate the first and second sections.
 17. A cover for an aerosol can having a dispenser valve, comprising: a cap for covering the dispenser valve; an annular ring having at least two cleats configured to engage a circular lip on the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly to firmly attach the annular ring to the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly, the annular ring comprising a removable portion that extends over less than half of the circumference of the annular ring and includes less than the entire thickness of the annular ring and at least one of the cleats; a tamper evident portion that is formed integrally with the cap and annular ring and is defined by lines of weakness between the cap and annular ring; wherein removing the removable portion permits the cover to be detached from the lip on the aerosol can; and wherein an opening force exerted on the cap prior to removing the removable portion causes either the tamper evident portion to at least partially separate the cap from the annular ring, or the removable portion to at least partially from the annular ring, to provide a tamper evident condition.
 18. The cover of claim 17, wherein the removable portion comprises one or more cleats that engage the circular lip on the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly to secure the annular ring to the aerosol can.
 19. The cover of claim 18, wherein removing the removable portion leaves at least one cleat and a remaining portion of the annular ring, the at least one cleat and remaining portion being configured to fit around the circular lip to permit the cover to be releasably attached to the aerosol can dispenser valve assembly.
 20. The cover of claim 19 further comprising one or more ribs within the cap, wherein a downward force exerted on the cap presses the ribs against of the lip of the can to support the cap such that the downward force does not cause the tamper evident portion to separate the cap and annular ring. 